GRANITE CITY, IL (KTVI-FOX2now.com)—
Early childhood education centers throughout Illinois are facing extinction because of state budget cuts. But the folks in Granite City vow to keep theirs open. They call it a valuable program and think it would be a travesty to cut it. Granite City board member Ron Dillard hopes the message gets through to Illinois lawmakers.Word should come by the end of this month as to whether the early education programs will survive or fall. Some are already expecting the worst. Areas like Collinsville, East Alton, Edwardsville, and Staunton are already closing or, anticipating closing.
But, in Granite City it's a different story. They survived a10% cut this year and hope the cuts are smaller next year. If it's not, however, board member Dillard says they'll do everything they can financially to keep their center open.
"Maybe some of these other school districts aren't committed like we are," says Dillard
They even have two "therapy dogs" on call to give their students a comfort zone if they need it. It's an active center on East 23rd Street educating some 300 pre-kindergarten students. They've got a waiting list of about 100 more and are moving ahead to accommodate them. Paul Bowler, the Madison County Special Education department, says, "We are using our stimulus money to build four more classrooms."
The center's coordinator is actively seeking support to change some budget-slashing minds in Springfield.
Jill Conoyer with the PreK Program says, "We're asking our parents and grandmothers and grandfathers and neighbors to send in letters and make phone calls to support our program."
"Early intervention is the key. If you can give them the support and the strengths now, these children will be successful later," says Paul Bowler.
Bowler thinks the economy is the reason early childhood centers are especially needed. He points out that when both parents work they have trouble finding time to prepare their children for regular school classes.
